the most widely accepted theory that describes the strong force, which is responsible for binding quarks together to form protons, neutrons, and other particles, is quantum chromodynamics (QCD). QCD is a part of the Standard Model of particle physics and has been extensively tested and supported by experimental observations.
Within the framework of QCD, quarks are considered the fundamental particles that interact through the exchange of gluons, which are the carriers of the strong force. This theory successfully explains a wide range of experimental data related to the strong force, such as the behavior of particles in particle accelerators and the structure of atomic nuclei.
While QCD is the dominant theory, there have been alternative proposals and extensions to describe the strong force mechanism. One example is the theory of technicolor, which suggests that the strong force may be the result of a new type of particle called techniquarks. However, technicolor and similar theories have not gained as much experimental support as QCD.
It's worth noting that scientific research is an ongoing process, and new theories or modifications to existing theories can emerge as our understanding evolves. Therefore, it is possible that in the future, alternative theories may be developed that provide a more comprehensive description of the strong force. However, QCD remains the most successful theory in this regard.