This book explores oxygen-free chalcogenide glasses, the only commercial transparent vitreous materials used for long-wave infrared radiation. The chalcogenides have been the subject of study around the world for many years, and continue to be an important area of research and development in infrared optics. Written by a renowned glass specialist with extensive experience working with chalcogenide glasses, Glasses for Infrared Optics includes discussions of:oChalcogenide glasses - a unique class of vitreous substancesoOptical properties of chalcogenide glassesoElaboration of commercial glassesoTechnological basics for manufacturing optical chalcogenide glassesThe material presented in Glasses for Infrared Optics is based on research performed at the Vavilov State Optical Institute in Russia. This is the first and only work that reviews every aspect of chalcogenide glasses. The scope of this comprehensive book is unique, and the major portion of this work has never been published before in English.