Fissile isotopes such as 233U, 235U or 239Pu get exposed to a thermal neutron beam. The resulting nuclear chain reaction is controlled by moderators such as graphite, Beryllium or heavy water.
For example Mo-99, source for Tc-99m, is produced by fission of highly enriched uranium (HEU) in a few reactors around the world (monitored and controlled by The International Atomic Energy Agency).

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.

Emitting is for example the release of particles (electrons, etc.) or rays (x-rays, etc.) as a consequence of e.g. a nuclear (decay, fission, or fusion) process.

See also Decay and Beta Radiation.

[Radioactive Isotope] Radioisotopes are atoms with an unstable nucleus, which try to reach a more stable state by emitting radiation. Through one or more steps down its decay chain a more stable number of protons and neutrons is reached. Approximately 3,800 natural and artificial (fission, generator) radioisotopes exist. Radioisotopes are commonly used in science, industry, and nuclear medicine.

See also Isotope, Decay and Decay Chain.