Asymptotic conditions and infrared divergences in quantum electrodynamics

A definition which is free of infrared divergences is proposed for the $S$ matrix of a reiativistic theory of interacting charged particles. This is achieved by a modification of the asymptotic condition and the introduction of a new simce of asymptotic states. This state differs from the Fok space, but is separable and relatlvistically and gauge invariant. The mass operator has no nonvanishing discrete eigenvalues.