We analyze the distribution of G and K type stars towards the Galactic poles using RAVE and ELODIE radial velocities , 2MASS photometric star counts , and UCAC2 proper motions .
The combination of photometric and 3D kinematic data allows us to disentangle and describe the vertical distribution of dwarfs , sub-giants and giants and their kinematics .

We identify discontinuities within the kinematics and magnitude counts that separate the thin disk , thick disk and a hotter component .
The respective scale heights of the thin disk and thick disk are 225 \pm 10 pc and 1048 \pm 36 pc .
We also constrain the luminosity function and the kinematic distribution function .
The existence of a kinematic gap between the thin and thick disks is incompatible with the thick disk having formed from the thin disk by a continuous process , such as scattering of stars by spiral arms or molecular clouds .
Other mechanisms of formation of the thick disk such as ‘ created on the spot ’ or smoothly ‘ accreted ’ remain compatible with our findings .