APPLIED SPECTRA INC

West Sacramento, CA · Defense · Private

Triple Tandem instrument combining laser-based analytical technologies (optical and mass spectrometry) with data fusion software for rapid isotopic analysis of nuclear materials

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Updated Oct 23, 2026 · appliedspectra.com

Sector: Defense
Headquarters: West Sacramento, CA
Latest Form D: $608K, Nov 2019
Total capital: $16.1M

Federal grants: $5M; 8 awards · 2016–2021; Rank in peer group#6 of 27
Private capital raised: $608K; 1 Form D · last Nov 2019; 83 months since last filing
Federal contracts: $10.5M; 32 awards · Defense, NASA, Agriculture; Rank in Defense#387 of 1442
Granted patents: 10; 4 pending · first 2017; Rank in peer group#1 of 27

Capital timeline

Latest events

Sep 2026Federal contractHealth and Human S · EO 14398 - J200 Laser Ablation Machine$250K
Sep 2026Federal contractCommerce · OU03-FY26-223-NEW Asi J200 Tandem Instrument For Libs And Icp-ms.$273K
Dec 2025Federal contractDefense · Libs Service Maintenance$11K
Mar 2025Federal contractInterior · Laser Induced Breakdown Spectrometer (libs) System Tandem Prism Upgrade For The U.S. Geological Survey, Geology Geophysics Geochemistry Science Center, Denver, Co$114K
Nov 2024Federal contractDefense · Libs Maintenance$10K
Sep 2024Federal contractInterior · Broadband Libs Detector$72K
Sep 2024Federal contractInterior · Laser Ablation (193NM Excimer) System$240K
Nov 2019Private capital raisedForm D · SEC · 1st filing$608K

Show 33 earlier federal awards

Dec 2023Federal contractDefense · Libs Maintenance$10K
Dec 2023Federal contractInterior · Purchase Of A Laser Ablation System For The Usgs Geosciences And Environmental Change Science Center$198K
Aug 2023Federal contractDefense · J200 Computer Subsystem$10K
Dec 2022Federal contractDefense · Maintenance$10K
Aug 2022Federal contractInterior · Laser Ablation System$191K
Jul 2022Federal contractEnergy · Uranium - Field Isotope Ratio Swipe Testing-ii (u-first-ii) For The Department Of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Office Of International Safeguards (NA-241)$2.1M
Aug 2021Federal grantEnergy · Phase II · Improved instrument for analysis of nuclear materials with heterogeneous isotopic composition$1.1M
Jun 2021Federal grantEnergy · Phase I · Integrated Multi-Sensor Imaging and Analysis Platform for Nano to Mesoscale Measurements of Nuclear Material$200K
Sep 2020Federal contractNASA · Femtosecond Laser Ablation System$702K
Sep 2020Federal contractInterior · Libs Dectector Upgrade To La System$58K
Jul 2020Federal contractEnergy · Uranium - Field Isotope Ratio Swipe Testing (u-first) For The Department Of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Office Of International Safeguards (NA-241)$846K
Jul 2020Federal grantDefense · Phase II · Isotope Nuclear Forensics from Optical Real-time Measurements (INFORM)$998K
Aug 2019Federal grantEnergy · Phase II · Improved Instrument for Analysis of Nuclear Materials with Heterogeneous Isotopic Composition$1.1M
Aug 2018Federal contractDefense · Laser-induced Breakdown Spectrometer$263K
Feb 2018Federal grantDefense · Phase I · Isotope Nuclear Forensics from Optical Real-time Measurements (INFORM)$150K
Jul 2017Federal grantEnergy · Phase II · Improved Instrument for Analysis of Nuclear Materials with Heterogeneous Isotopic Composition$999K
Jun 2017Federal grantEnergy · Phase I · Sensor for direct, rapid and complete elemental analysis of coal$225K
Aug 2016Federal contractDefense · Igf::ot::igf Baa Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (libs) Characterization Of Environmental Samples Task 7 U437N00$65K
Jun 2016Federal grantEnergy · Phase I · Improved instrument for analysis of nuclear materials with heterogeneous isotopic composition$150K
Nov 2015Federal contractDefense · Macro Camera Assembly With Installation And Training U437N00$5K
Sep 2015Federal contractCommerce · Laser Ablation Instrument$100K
Aug 2015Federal contractDefense · Igf::ot::igf Baa Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (libs) Characterization Of Environmental Samples U437N00$23K
Apr 2014Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf This Project Addresses The Need For A Non-contact Instrument Capable Of Measuring The Isotopic Ratios O- 18/O-16 And D/h From Water Ice And Other Solid Materials (rocks). Frozen H2O Is The Dominant Ice In The Outer Solar System, Recently Found On The Moon. Extensive Deposits Of Near-surface Ice Discovered On Mars. Oxygen And Hydrogen Isotopic Records Preserve History Of Water/rock Interactions Depending On Chemistry And Ambient Conditions. Ratios Of These Isotopes Are The Main Tool $750K
Aug 2013Federal contractDefense · U437N00 -- Libs Elemental Analyzer$175K
May 2013Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf This Proposal Addresses NASA SBIR Topic S1.07 In Situ Sensors For Lunar And Planetary Science, Particularly The Need For Measuring Isotopic Ratios Of The Key Elements Associated With The Signs Of Life (h, C, N, O). We Propose A Non-contact Optical Instrument Similar To Chemcam That Will Be Capable Of Measuring Not Only Complete Elemental Compositions But Also Isotopic Abundances Of The Key Elements In Surface Materials. We Intend To Utilize And Further Develop Our Recently Publishe$125K
Sep 2012Federal contractAgriculture · Libs Elemental Analyzer With Uv Option, RT100-EC$108K
Feb 2012Federal contractDefense · Research Contract Proposal Titled "sensitive Elemental Analysis Of Algae Related Materials."$827K
Dec 2011Federal contractDefense · U437N00 -- Baa Log #11-0030 "laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (libs) Characterization Of Environmental Samples"$22K
Dec 2009Federal contractNASA · We Propose The Detailed Conceptual Development Of A Device For Analyzing Key Isotopic Composition In Surface Materials Without Sample Preparation. We Will Combine Absorption Spectroscopy With Laser Induced Vaporization Of Solid Samples For High-resolution Isotopic Measurements. An Immediate Focus Is On Mars But Our Concept Is Also Highly Germane To Other Applications Relevant To Bio- And Geochemical Objectives. We Will Evaluate Accuracy, Sensitivity, And Resolution Of Our Technology For Isotopic$600K
Jan 2009Federal contractNASA · Laser Ablation - Optical Cavity Isotopic Spectrometer (laocis) This Proposal Addresses NASA Astrobiology Objectives, Particularly The Need For A Compact Instrument Capable Of In Situ Isotopic Measurements. We Propose The Detailed Conceptual Development Of A Device For Analyzing Key Isotopic Composition In Surface Materials Without Sample Preparation. We Will Combine Absorption Spectroscopy With Laser Induced Vaporization Of Solid Samples For High-resolution Isotopic Measurements. An Immediate F$100K
Sep 2006Federal contractDefense · Novel Approach For Revolutionary Libs$729K
Apr 2006Federal contractDefense · 200607!005734!5700!FA8650!DET 1 Afrl/pk !FA865006C6645 !a!n! !y! ! !20060428!20080428!147539378!147539378!147539378!N!APPLIED Spectra, Inc !48834 Kato Rd !fremont !CA!94538!83346!013!06!WALNUT Creek !contra Costa !CALIFORNIA!+000000250000!N!N!000000749812!AZ16!RDTE/OTHER Research & Development-mgmt Support !C9E!ALL Other Supplies And Equipment !000 !not Discernable !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !999$750K
Sep 2005Federal contractDefense · 200512!500842!2100!W911NF!USA Materiel Command ACQUISITION!W911NF05C0123 !a!n! !n! ! !20050928!20070928!147539378!147539378!147539378!N!APPLIED Spectra, Inc !111 Hogan Court Unit 3 !walnut Creek !CA!94598!83346!013!06!WALNUT Creek !contra Costa !CALIFORNIA!+000000749954!N!N!000000749954!AZ11!RDTE/OTHER Research & Development-basic Research !S1 !services !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !202$750K

Node area is scaled to amount. Form D reports securities sold, which can differ from an announced round; filings are numbered in the order they were made.

Federal first

170months

from APPLIED SPECTRA INC’s first federal award to its first private round.

First federal award · Sep 2005: Defense · $750K
First Form D · Nov 2019: $608K · 1st Form D
Awards before first raise: 21 awards

An association in public records, not a cause or a prediction.

Standing among 27 peers

Line = median

Defense · Instrument

Federal grants#6 · top 22%
Granted patents#1 · top 4%

Cumulative measures favor older companies. Rankings describe position today, not outcome. Below the median, ranks show as a band rather than a number.

Founders and team

Researcher links verified by same-company patents and grants

Richard E RussoResearcherExecutive OfficerLinked by 1 patent · $200K in grants as PI
Jong E YooExecutive OfficerNamed in SEC Form D filings

What it has protected

USPTO · 10 granted of 14

Dec 5, 2023GrantedLaser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Of LiquidUSPTOUS 11,835,464
Sep 26, 2023GrantedLaser Ablation Spectrometry ApparatusUSPTOUS 11,768,157
Jan 17, 2023GrantedApparatus For Laser Ablation AnalysisUSPTOUS 11,555,786

Show all 14 patent records

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Of LiquidDec 5, 2023 · US 11,835,464Granted
Laser Ablation Spectrometry ApparatusSep 26, 2023 · US 11,768,157Granted
Apparatus For Laser Ablation AnalysisJan 17, 2023 · US 11,555,786Granted
Laser Ablation AnalysisSep 6, 2022 · US 11,435,290Granted
Methods For Multiphase Laser Ablation AnalysisFeb 15, 2022 · US 11,247,295Granted
Multiphase Laser Ablation Analysis InstrumentAug 10, 2021 · US 11,085,882Granted
Methods For Laser Ablation AnalysisAug 27, 2019 · US 10,393,587Granted
Method for Elemental Analysis in a Production LineMay 7, 2019 · US 10,281,406Granted
Laser Ablation Analysis TechniquesMar 5, 2019 · US 10,222,337Granted
Method for Elemental Analysis of a Snack Food Product in a Dynamic Production LineJun 13, 2017 · US 9,678,015Granted
Method For Elemental Analysis Of A Snack Food Product In Dynamic Production LineApplication PCTUS2015052510Pending
Laser Ablation AnalysisApplication 16293512Pending
Method For Real-time Optical Diagnostics In Laser Ablation And Laser Processing Of Layered And Structured MaterialsApplication PCTUS2010055327Pending
Laser Ablation Apparatus And MethodApplication PCTUS2009042862Pending

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SQUARE ONE SYSTEMS DESIGN, INC.Similar federal contract value in Defense · $10.5M in contracts
VR REHAB INCSimilar federal contract value in Defense · $10.4M in contracts

Regulatory activity · Defense

Sector-level, not company-level

11 Jun 2026Danger Zone; Waters of Carr Creek and Whitehall Bay in the Vicinity of the Naval Support Activity AnnapolisEngineers Corps
13 Mar 2026Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2026-01; IntroductionNational Aeronautics and Space Administration
13 Mar 2026Federal Acquisition Regulation: Trade Agreements ThresholdsNational Aeronautics and Space Administration
13 Mar 2026Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2026-01; Small Entity Compliance GuideNational Aeronautics and Space Administration
27 Aug 2025Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-06; Small Entity Compliance GuideNational Aeronautics and Space Administration
27 Aug 2025Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-06; IntroductionNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

Rules are matched to sector, not to company. Recent activity in a sector is context rather than a signal about this business — until rules are matched to what a company actually builds, the section is shown as context and nothing more.

Sources

Federal grants from SBIR/STTR, NIH, NSF and DoD records. Federal contracts from USAspending.gov. Private capital from SEC Form D. Patents from USPTO. Publications from OpenAlex. Regulatory activity from the Federal Register. Press matched on company name.

How to read this page

Figures show associations in public records, not causes or predictions. Nothing here is investment advice. An em-dash means no record was found under this company's name, not that none exists.

Data freshness

SEC Form D filings through Oct 23, 2026. SBIR and STTR awards through Oct 21, 2026.