An ion is an atomic particle that is electrically charged, either negatively or positively by loss or addition of one or more electrons. The simplest ions are for example hydrogen ions (a proton, H+), or an alpha particle (helium ion, He2+).
Positively-charged ions have fewer electrons than protons. They are cations due to the attraction to cathodes.
Negatively charged ions have more electrons in the electron shells than they have protons in the core. Due to their attraction to anodes they are named anions.

An anion is a negative charged ion; the atom has more electrons than protons. Anions are attracted from the positively charged anode. This is a basic part for producing radiation in the x-ray tube.

The cation is a positive charged ion. Cations are attracted from the cathode.

The process of removing, separating the daughter radionuclide from the generator is referred to as elution.

See Generator.

Atomic or nuclear fission is the process of splitting a heavy nucleus into two lighter nuclei. Some nuclides split up spontaneous as a type of radioactive decay. In other elements, fission is induced through the reaction of an incident radiation with the nucleus. High energy rates are released during the fission reaction (difference between the binding energies); this energy is used to produce heat and electricity e.g. in nuclear power plants.