We report the photoinduced effects on the glass composition As2S3 and As29.6P7.4S63 when exposed to UV light. The morphology of the glass surface irradiated at different power densities was investigated by use of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A power density dependence on the photoexpansion (PE) and photoablation (PA) is observed. Raman measurement after irradiation shows the formation of As-O bonds in As29.6P7.4S63. Also, the appearance of P=O bonds indicate the incorporation of oxygen at the glass surface during the irradiation process. (C) 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim