A novel heavy-metal chalcogenide glass doped with a high dysprosium ion (Dy3+) concentration was prepared by the well-established melt-quenching technique from high-purity elements. The results show that when Cadmium (Cd) is introduced into chalcogenide glass, the concentration of Dy3+ ions doped in GeGaCdS glasses is markedly increased, the thermodynamic performance improves, and the difference between T-g and T-x is >120 degrees C. The Vickers microhardness is also modified greatly, about 245 kgf/mm(2). The optical spectra indicate that all absorption and emission bands of Dy3+ are clearly observed and red-shifted with increasing Dy3+ concentration.