Optical transmission spectra of As2S3 glass-like plates and nanolayers, undoped and doped with Sm2+, Sm3+, Dy3+, Pr3+, and Mn3+ ions have been investigated. The spectral dependences of the refractive index and glass transmission spectra, registered in the configuration of crossed polarizers, were studied. The concentration of rare-earth ions in the matrix influences on the magnitude of refractive indices (n-, n+) of polarized light. The emission spectra of As2S3 glasses, doped with rare-earth ions (Sm2+, Sm3+, Pr3+), as well as KCl crystals, doped with Sm2+ ions, have been investigated for different temperatures in the range 300 - 10 K. A luminescence signal associated with recombination transitions of charge carriers from 5Dj and 5Lj levels to 7Fj levels of samarium ion was registered. A wide photoluminescence band was registered in the region 1.8 - 2.1 eV, which can be related to intercenter photoluminescence, and a number of narrow absorption bands were registered, which can be attributed to self-absorbtion process, determined by electronic transitions between the levels of samarium ions.