The glass forming, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of GeSe(2)-Ga(2)Se(3)-MX (MX is alkali halide) chalcohalide glasses are reported. A unique property of the glasses is that they have excellent transparency in red-light region in addition to the 8-14 mu m atmospheric window. This property is interesting and important for improving the quality control of infrared systems. These glasses also present good thermal stability. They could be promising materials for infrared transmitting applications, although their thermomechanical properties are relatively weak. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.