Pure Au and Au-doped VO2 thin films were prepared from vanadium alkoxide precursors via the sol-gel process. A solution of VO(OPri)(3) was spin-coated onto silicon substrates and heat-treated under a reducing atmosphere (Ar-H-2 5%). Optically transparent crystalline thin films of VO2 were obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) absorption, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The AuxVO2 films exhibited the well-known metal-insulating transition and became infrared reflecting at high temperature. Their optical switching performances were carried out using a TEA CO2 laser working at 10.6 mu m.