to f a helvy on apr 25 1972 and incorporated by reference herein for the purpose of disclosure an exhaust tubulation 30 provides a means for removing occluded gases from within the envelope 16 during the processing of the image sensor 10 the tubulations 28 and 30 are formed of copper and are shown as being 34 tipped off 34 i e cold welded by crimping tip off protectors 32 and 34 are attached to the ends of the 34 tipped off 34 tubulation 28 and 30 respectively to protect the tip offs from damage the header assembly 14 includes a silicon charge coupled device ccd 36 which is spaced from the cathode 26 and located in the focal plane i e a plane substantially orthogonal to the optical axis 15 of the image sensor 10 where the photelectrons from the photoemissive cathode 26 are focused the ccd 36 has a thickness of about 10 microns a novel frame member 38 formed from silicon and having a thickness of about 0 13 to 0 25 mm 5 to 10 mils is secured to the ccd 36 to strengthen and support the ccd and is located on the cathode side of the ccd while a thickness within the range of 0 13 to 0 25 mm is preferred the range is not to be considered as limiting and thinner or thicker frame members may be used the header assembly 14 also includes a ceramic header member 39 which has an electrode pattern not shown formed thereon to permit electrical contact to be made to the electrode of the ccd 36 the electrode pattern is formed in a multilayered structure that passes through the vacuum envelope 16 of the sensor 10 so that external contacts not shown are provided on the header.