  We demonstrate the use of high power diode laser stacks to photodetach fast
hydrogen and carbon anions and produce ground term neutral atomic beams. We
achieve photodetachment efficiencies of $\sim$7.4\% for H$^-$ at a beam energy
of 10\,keV and $\sim$3.7\% for C$^-$ at 28\,keV. The diode laser systems used
here operate at 975\,nm and 808\,nm, respectively, and provide high continuous
power levels of up to 2\,kW, without the need of additional enhancements like
optical cavities. The alignment of the beams is straightforward and operation
at constant power levels is very stable, while maintenance is minimal. We
present a dedicated photodetachment setup that is suitable to efficiently
neutralize the majority of stable negative ions in the periodic table.
