We demonstrate a selectively emitting optical Fabry-P\'erot resonator based
on a few-nm-thin continuous metallic titanium nitride film, separated by a
dielectric spacer from an optically thick titanium nitride back-reflector,
which exhibits excellent stability at 1070 K against chemical degradation,
thin-film instabilities and melting point depression. The structure paves the
way to the design and fabrication of refractory thermal emitters using the
well-established processes known from the field of multilayer and rugate
optical filters. We demonstrate that a few-nanometer thick films of titanium
nitride can be stable under operation at temperatures exceeding 1070 K. This
type of selective emitter provides a means towards near-infrared thermal
emission that could potentially be tailored to the accuracy level known from
rugate optical filters.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figure