For purposes of designing targeted cataclysmic variable ( CV ) detection surveys and interpreting results of other projects with many CV detections such as the ChaMPlane Survey , we have created a model of the CV distribution in the Galaxy .
It is modeled as a warped , flared exponential disk with a gaussian vertical distribution .
Extinction is based on a detailed Galactic dust and gas model .
A luminosity function for CVs is also incorporated , based on a smoothed version of published data .
We calculate predicted field detection rates as a function of the limiting magnitude expected for the detecting system ( i.e .
WIYN/Hydra or NOAO 4m/Mosaic ) .
Monte-Carlo techniques are used to assess statistical fluctuations in these rates .
We have created maps of the expected CV distribution for the full non-bulge Galactic plane ( 20 ^ { \circ } < l < 340 ^ { \circ } , |b| < 15 ^ { \circ } ) for use in both the ChaMPlane Survey and future CV surveys .
Assuming a CV distribution with a scale height of 160 pc , the ChaMPlane observational result of 5 CVs in 13 northern fields is best fit by a CV local space density of 0.9 ^ { +1.5 } _ { -0.5 } \times 10 ^ { -5 } pc ^ { -3 } , with the range representing the 95 % confidence interval .