The use of high-power ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$
AlxAs diode laser arrays for optical pumping of Rb vapor has been examined both theoretically and experimentally. Our studies show that large atomic polarizations can be obtained using the broad spectral output of a diode laser array if the Rb resonance line is collisionally broadened by several atmospheres of a buffer gas. The objective was to study the effectiveness of diode laser arrays as light sources for optically pumped spin-exchange polarized
3He targets. The average Rb polarization was deduced at three different Rb vapor pressures using the polarization induced in the
3He buffer gas. The largest
3He polarization observed was 53% using a 20-W diode array with 1.9-nm full width at half maximum spectral width in 10.5 amagat of
3He. This result compares favorably with other light sources for this target. The measured average Rb polarizations are compared to theoretical calculations.