With the extensive application of infrared thermal camera in commercial field,the product of low cost and high performance is attracted the more attention from the infrared field.The present article introduced the potential of chalcogenide glasses in infrared optics.Compared to the germanium,a common material used in infrared field,chalcogenide glasses possess the characteristics of low-cost and the little value of dn/dt.Besides,it is amorphous glass,which is produced the spherical and aspheric lens by using a molding process instead of single-point-diamond turning.Thus the mass manufacture cost of infrared lens will drop obviously,the stability and consistency of product is guaranteed.