Fast rotation of neutron stars and the equation of state of dense matter

Radio-pulsars rapidly rotating, magnetized neutron stars - are the fastest stellar rotators in the Universe. The structure of rotating neutron stars is determined by the equation of state of matter at supra nuclear densities and the angular frequency of rotation. Results of calculations of rapidly rotating neutron star models, performed for a broad set of equations of state of dense matter, are reviewed.The upper limit to rotation frequency of stable rotation results from the appearance of instabilities in rapidly rotating neutron stars. Maximum rotation frequency depends on the equation state of dense matter, but some general empirical relations between the maximally rotating and static neutron star models are shown to exist. (author). 27 refs, 4 figs, 2 tabs