A semiconductor detector for infrared radiation is manufactured by the steps of depositing an auxiliary layer on a main surface of a carrier, depositing a membrane layer provided with at least one opening onto the auxiliary layer, selectively etching the auxiliary layer through the at least one opening of the membrane layer, so that a hollow space arises in the auxiliary layer, sealing the hollow space by depositing a covering on th membrane layer, and fashioning a detector element on the covering by depositing a material sensitive to infrared radiation within a region of the covering that is bounded by the hollow space therebelow.