Modification of exchange bias by cooling field without changing the ferromagnetic magnetization

► Antiferromagnetic (AF) spin configuration is modified only by cooling field. ► Both suppressed exchange bias field (HE) and enhanced coercivity (HC) are achieved at the same time when HFC varies. ► Different cooling fields induce distinct initial non-equilibrium states of AF layer. ► AF domain walls serve as new pinning sites of FM domain walls, leading to the enhancement of HC.