We construct a solid-like variational wave function for protons localized in dense neutron-star matter. The localized protons are centered on the lattice sites, and the neutron background is described by periodic Bloch wave functions. The self-consistent periodic structure arises due to a collective mean field. For low proton fraction the periodic potential is weak and the neutron Fermi surface is well approximated by a sphere. With the Skyrme forces we find that the proton solid is of lower energy than a uniform matter for densities above n1 almost-equal-to 3n0, where n0 = 0.17 fm-3 is the nuclear saturation density. We discuss implications of the proton crystallization for properties of dense matter in neutron stars. [References: 11]
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