Limiting angular velocity of realistic relativistic neutron star models

The Keplerian velocity as well as those frequencies at which instability against gravitational radiation-reaction sets in are calculated for rotating neutron star models of gravitational mass 1.5M. The investigation is based on four different, realistic neutron star matter equations of state. Our results indicate that the gravitational radiation instability sets in wellbelow (i.e., 63–71% of) the Keplerian frequency, and thatyoung neutron stars are limited to rotational periods greater than about 1 ms. In young and therefore hot (T10¹⁰ K) neutron stars them=5(±1) modes and in old stars after being spun up and reheated by mass accretion, them=4 and/orm=3 modes may set the limit on stable rotation.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. H.J. Mang on the occasion of his 60th birthday.