Tensor-vector-scalar cosmology: Covariant formalism for the background evolution and linear perturbation theory

A relativistic theory of gravity has recently been proposed by Bekenstein, where gravity is mediated by a tensor, a vector, and a scalar field, thus called TeVeS. The theory aims at modifying gravity in such a way as to reproduce Milgrom’s modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) in the weak field, nonrelativistic limit, which provides a framework to solve the missing mass problem in galaxies without invoking dark matter. In this paper I apply a covariant approach to formulate the cosmological equations for this theory, for both the background and linear perturbations. I derive the necessary perturbed equations for scalar, vector, and tensor modes without adhering to a particular gauge. Special gauges are considered in the appendixes.