Vortex excitations above T_c as revealed by ESR

Using electron spin resonance (ESR) technique we have obtained data evidencing the existence of magnetic vortices in high-temperature superconductors at temperatures above the critical one $T_c$. We have studied magnetic excitations in \bis single crystals above $T_c$ with the method of surface spin decoration. The surface layer of diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl was used as a sensitive probe of magnetic field distortions. The temperature dependence of the ESR signal parameters has indicated that far above $T_c$ the magnetic flux of a sample is affected by the superconducting order parameter fluctuations while close to $T_c$ its changes are due to vortex-type excitations.