The present disclosure relates to methods of manufacture of piezoelectric ceramic transducers useable, for example, in an ultrasound probe, using a poling process. The poling is accomplished without contacting transducer elements and by subjecting the piezoelectric ceramic transducer to a corona discharge. The disclosure further describes a system for poling a transducer comprising at least one piezoelectric ceramic component or transducer assembly, a ground plane comprising an electrical polarity, and a corona source connected to a first power source configured to supply a first voltage to the corona source having an electrical polarity opposite the electrical polarity of the ground plane. The at least one piezoelectric ceramic component or transducer assembly is positioned between the corona source and the ground plane within a chamber.
