We have measured the alkali resonance photon intensity due to electron stimulated desorption of excited particles from NaCl and KCl targets as a function of incident electron energy (20 to 1000 eV) and sample temperature (room temperature to 300 °C). The energy dependence data suggest a correlation between excited Na and K desorption thresholds and substrate core levels. These are the first experimental correlations of the desorption of neutral atoms, specifically excited neutral atoms, with the creation of core holes. The intensity of emitted radiation is observed to rise sharply and then saturate with increasing temperature.