A new series of chalcogenide glasses in the GeS2-Ga2S3-CdS pseudoternary system was prepared in sealed silica ampoules by heating at 970degreesC, and was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetry (DSC-TG) and visible-IR transmission measurements. The results show that the glass-forming region is mainly situated in the GeS2-rich domain and the amount of dissolved US is up to over 30 mol%. The glasses have relatively high glass transition temperatures (T-g = 375-436 degreesC) and good thermal stabilities. The most stable glass with the composition of 90GeS(2)-5Ga(2)S(3)-5CdS (in mol%) has a broad region of transmission from 0.46 to 10.5 mum and good chemical stability in normal air conditions. These glasses may be widely used in the field of optoelectronics. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.